Advies has acquired London-based financial advice firm St Andrews Financial. The transaction adds approximately £200m in assets under management and around 300 clients to Advies’ platform.

Most clients are professionals and families based in London and the South East. The deal reflects continued consolidation across the UK financial advice market.

Strategic growth in London and the South East

The acquisition strengthens Advies’ presence in London and expands its regional client base.

Advies will rebrand St Andrews Financial over the next year. The business will also complete integration during this period. Importantly, the transition aims to maintain continuity for clients while strengthening overall service capability.

Conor MacSweeney, partner at Advies, said: “St Andrews Financial is a highly respected business with a long track record of delivering outstanding advice and building lasting client relationships.

“What stood out to us was the clear alignment in values between our firms: a shared commitment to personal service, professional excellence and long-term client outcomes.”

Shared values support the transaction

James Hickson founded St Andrews Financial more than 20 years ago. Following completion, he will join Advies as executive IFA and continue advising clients.

He said: “Over more than two decades, we have built St Andrews Financial around trusted relationships and a highly personal approach to advice.

“In Advies, we have found a partner that shares that philosophy and has the scale, ambition and infrastructure to support the next stage of growth.

“Joining Advies means our clients will continue to receive the personal service they value, while benefiting from additional scale, capability and investments in technology.”

His comments highlight the growing importance of cultural alignment in adviser-led acquisitions. Buyers increasingly focus on long-term client relationships alongside financial performance.

Saltus Partnership Programme supports expansion

The Saltus Partnership Programme supported the acquisition. The programme works with independent financial planning firms to support strategic growth.

Advies joined the programme in October 2023. Since then, the business has continued to expand its platform and acquisition strategy.

Mike Stimpson, managing director of the Saltus Partnership Programme, said: “This acquisition is exactly the kind of strategic growth the Saltus Partnership Programme is designed to support.

“Advies is an ambitious, high-quality business, and the addition of St Andrews Financial further strengthens its proposition in a way that is aligned with its long-term plans.”

Consolidation continues across financial planning

The UK financial planning sector continues to consolidate. Larger firms are investing in scale, infrastructure, and technology to remain competitive.

As a result, acquisitions now play a central role in many long-term growth strategies. Firms also continue to prioritise operational efficiency and client service improvements.

What this means for business owners

For business owners, the transaction highlights the importance of scale, succession planning, and cultural alignment.

It also demonstrates that firms with strong client relationships and a clear service proposition remain attractive acquisition targets in a competitive market.